Press Release: Carnegie Mellon's Center for Iranian Music Hosts Persian Music Festival of Music, Workshops This October

PITTSBURGH—The Center for Iranian Music (CFIM) at Carnegie Mellon University will host the Persian Music Festival, Oct. 17-19, featuring lectures and performances of traditional and contemporary Iranian music.

"The goal of the festival is to support the culture and music of Iran," said Reza Vali, professor of composition at CMU's School of Music and director of education and research for the center. "This will be the first year of the festival, and CFIM hopes to continue to host it every year."

The festival provides an opportunity for people to learn more about Iranian music and culture. Vali believes that all cultures are interconnected, and music is a universal language that speaks to everyone, regardless of ethnic background, religion or country of origin.

CFIM was founded by Vali and Bijan Elyaderani in the fall of 2012. The center's mission is to preserve and promote Iranian music. CFIM pursues activities in three areas: education, community engagement, and conservation and promotion of Iranian music. To purchase tickets, people may contact Bijan Elyaderani at 724-799-2067 or via email. More details are available at the CFIM's website.

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CMU's Reza Vali (pictured above)wants to increase awareness about the role music has played in the continuation and preservation of the ancient culture of Persia. Hispassion for Persian music led him to co-found the center for Iranian Music (CFIM) in CMU's College of Fine Arts with Bijan Elyaderani, M.D., the director of the Iranian American Cultural Association of Pittsburgh.